What Are the Costs of the Average UK Funeral?

Funerals today can be surprisingly expensive, which is why so many people are turning to resources that can help them plan their funeral details in advance, as well as set aside the money necessary to cover at least the majority of the funeral costs so that their families don’t have to. But how much money do you really need to plan the average funeral in the UK today? Keep reading to learn just how much you should budget to get the funeral plan that you’ll be happy with.

The Average Costs

In the early part of 2014, the average cost of a funeral in the UK was around £7,622, and this included the cost of the funeral, the state administration, and the cremation or the burial. This number rose by about 7.1 per cent over the previous year, according to a study from the University of Bath’s Institute for Policy Research. Because of the results of that study, they’ve called upon the government to review the UK’s existing system of support from the state for people who have to cover funeral costs. In fact, it’s estimated that, every year, more than 100,000 people in the UK will end up struggling with paying for a funeral.

Costs Continue to Rise, but They Can Vary

Even though people are living longer, the cost of dying continues to climb. However, the cost of a funeral can vary, depending up on the funeral arrangements that are chosen and the location that the funeral is taking place in. For example, the overall cost of a funeral in London is roughly double what the national average cost is.

There Are Ways to Save Money on Funeral Costs

Thankfully, there are ways that you can plan a memorable funeral without spending a lot of money. A good example is direct cremation and organising a ceremony at home rather than at a funeral home. A direct cremation costs about £1,600 on average, and the body will be collected from the mortuary and cremated, without having a viewing or a ceremony beforehand. You can collect the ashes afterward or have them delivered to you for a fee, and you can then hold a ceremony at the place and time that you choose.
Another great example is green burials, which are often a lot less expensive than traditional burials because they forgo things like embalming and cement vaults at the cemetery. A biodegradable casket made of a material like cardboard, for example, will also be much more affordable—and better for the environment—than a casket that’s made of modern materials.

Ultimately, however, the costs will vary depending upon the location. And costs can even vary within the same location, depending upon the type of service that you go with in the end. Receiving quotes from more than one funeral service provider will help you make the most affordable choice.
Even though the costs of the average UK funeral are quite high, it’s important to know that there are several good alternatives that are more affordable.

Recent posts

We have a different point of view about reality; maybe it's not the best nor the most original, just another one, because life itself is polyhedral and is not enough with a single approach to news, technology, science or lifestyle.